Moving Elevator Physics Problem

Question

An elevator is suspended by a cable and the elevator weighs 5500 N. The elevator moves upward with an acceleration of 4 m/s2. Find the tension in the supporting cable. * Use 10 m/s2 for the acceleration of gravity (that's what the problem asks you to use for g).

Answer 1

T = tension in N

W = weight of elevator = 5500 N

a = upward acceleration of elevator = 4 m/s²

g = acceleration of gravity = 10 m/s²

m = mass of elevator = W/g

Use Newton's 2nd law:

T - W = ma ⇒

T = W + ma = W + (W/g)a = [5500 + (5500/10)(4)] N = ? N